Classes of Kingdom Fungi

Give a comparative account
of the classes of Kingdom Fungi under the following: (i) mode of nutrition (ii)
mode of reproduction.

Mode of nutrition: Fungi do not contain any chlorophyll
in their body. So for nutrition they are dependent upon others. Mainly three
types of nutritional status is being observed in fungi.

1. Saprotroph: saprophytic fungi grow on dead bodies of plants and animals. They secret
specific types of enzymes-hydrolytic and cellulase. These enzymes breakdown the
tissue of dead animals and convert complex organic molecules into simple
molecules. Then it is uptake by the hyphae into the fungi body. E.g. oyster
mushroom etc.

2. Paratroph: In this type of nutrition Fungi grow
on host body and take their food from the host. Parasitic nature causes
sometime harm to the host.

3. Mutualism: in this type of nutrition fungus serve mutualist relationship with other organisms. And both of them dependent on each other for their nutrition. E.g. mycorrhiza is a symbiosis between fungi and root of plant. It provides plant nitrogenous salt and make the soil fertile. Lichens also show this type of nutrition.

According to mode of reproduction fungi can be divided into different groups:

Phycomycetes (egg fungi):

Mycelium is coenocytic, hyphal wall may contain chitin or cellulose. Asexual reproduction occurs with the help of conidio-sporangia. In moist environment they produce zoospores and in dry sporangia directly function as conidia. Sexual reproduction is oogamous. It occurs by the contact of gametangia where male nucleus enter the polonium through a conjugation tube.E.g. Phytopthora infestans.

Most advanced and best decomposer of woods. Primary mycelium is inconspicuous, haploid with monokaryotic cell. Secondary mycelium is Produced by fusion of two spores ( monokaryotic cell) . E.g. Agaricus, Puccinia.

Deuteromycetes (fungi imperfecti):

The group include fungi where sexual or perfect stage in not known. Mycelium is made of septate hyphae. Asexual reproduction is occur by conidia. E.g. Microsporum, Trychophyton.

Questions and Answers on Classes of Kingdom Fungi:

1. Which fungus causes early blight of potato?

Alternaria solani.

2. Name the species causes Athlete's foot.

Trychophyton interdigitate.

3. Name two predator fungi.

Dactylella bembicoides; D.ellipsospora.

4. Name two drug producing fungi.

Penicillium notatum– penicillin

Cephalosporium minimum–cephalosporin.

5. What is Hyphae?

Body of fungus consists of microscopic threads or filament like structure is called hyphae.